MU Chancellor to Step Down at End of Year

On the same day the University of Missouri System president resigned, the chancellor of the Columbia campus has also announced he will be stepping down at the end of the year.

Just hours after UM System President Tim Wolfe announced his resignation, Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said he will also be stepping down.

“I have decided today that I will transition from the role of chancellor of Missouri effective at the end of this year and move into a new role where I will work with many people across the system to advance our research mission,” he said.

Loftin has come under fire for mishandling graduate student health care and racism on campus. The English department and deans of nine schools have called for Loftin to step aside after creating a environment of mistrust.

In a letter to the curators, the deans write that Chancellor Loftin has created a quote “toxic environment through threat, fear and intimidation," according to the Columbia Daily Tribune. Journalism Dean David Kurpius signed the letter and says ultimately Loftin is responsible for the mistrustful atmosphere on campus because of his leadership role.

“I’m concerned with the climate on campus not just with race and the swastika incident in the dorm but also the graduate student issues and having those move toward resolution,” he said.

Vice Chancellor Hank Foley will step in as interim chancellor.

Former President Wolfe resigned Monday morning amid heat from students and faculty for failing to respond effectively to controversies on race, graduate student rights and the university's relationship with Planned Parenthood.

University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe issued an apology Friday for his behavior with the group Concerned Student 1950.

Members of the group blocked his car during the homecoming parade in protest of how the administration has handled incidents of racism at MU. Wolfe also notes in his apology that he has met with graduate student Jonathan Butler, who has been on a hunger strike calling for Wolfe’s resignation or removal.